Hansen received further good news on Wednesday with a trio of injured frontrowers expected to return to the field this week, Fairfax Media reported.

Hooker Dane Coles has not played since rupturing knee ligaments against France on last year's end-of-season tour, while tighthead prop Nepo Laulala was sidelined after breaking his arm during Super Rugby, an injury that required surgery.

Coles is expected to make a cameo appearance for Wellington against Taranaki in New Zealand's provincial championship on Friday, while Laulala is to return for Counties Manukau against Canterbury the following day.

Laulala is likely to face fellow All Blacks prop Joe Moody, who broke his thumb against Australia on Aug. 25, in the clash in Christchurch on Saturday.

If all three come through their games unscathed they are expected to be included in Hansen's squad for an end-of-season tour that features tests against Australia, Japan, England, Ireland and Italy.

The All Blacks face Australia in the third Bledisloe Cup match in Yokohama on Oct. 27 before taking on 2019 Rugby World Cup hosts Japan in Tokyo on Nov. 3.